Chronic Ethanol Exposure Produces Time- and Brain Region-Dependent Changes in Gene Coexpression Networks

Repeated ethanol exposure and withdrawal in mice increases voluntary drinking and represents an animal model of physical dependence. We examined time- and brain region-dependent changes in gene coexpression networks in amygdala (AMY), nucleus accumbens (NAC), prefrontal cortex (PFC), and liver after four weekly cycles of chronic intermittent ethanol (CIE) vapor exposure in C57BL/6J mice. Microarrays were used to compare gene expression profiles at 0-, 8-, and 120-hours following the last ethanol exposure. Each brain region exhibited a large number of differentially expressed genes (2,000-3,000) at the 0- and 8-hour time points, but fewer changes were detected at the 120-hour time point (400-600). Within each region, there was little gene overlap across time (~20%). All brain regions were significantly enriched with differentially expressed immune-related genes at the 8-hour time point. Weighted gene correlation network analysis identified modules that were highly enriched with differentially expressed genes at the 0- and 8-hour time points with virtually no enrichment at 120 hours. Modules enriched for both ethanol-responsive and cell-specific genes were identified in each brain region. These results indicate that chronic alcohol exposure causes global ‘rewiring‘ of coexpression systems involving glial and immune signaling as well as neuronal genes.     

Micropropagation of Centella asiatica (L.), a valuable medicinal herb

A protocol is described for rapid and large-scale in vitro clonal propagation of the valuable medicinal herb Centella asiatica (L.) by enhanced axillary bud proliferation in nodal segments isolated from mature plants. Although bud break was dependent on BA supply, the synergistic combination of 22.2 μM BA and 2.68 μM NAA induced the optimum frequency (91%) of shoot formation as well as shoot number (4 to 5 shoots per node). Subculturing of nodal segments harvested from the in vitro derived axenic shoots on the multiplication medium enabled continuous production of healthy shoots with similar frequency. MS medium supplemented with 6.7 μM BA and 2.88 μM IAA was found most suitable for shoot elongation. Rooting was highest (90%) on full-strength MS medium containing 2.46 μM IBA. Micropropagated plants established in garden soil were uniform and identical to the donor plant with respect to growth characteristics. This micropropagation procedure could be useful for raising a stock of genetically homogenous plant material for field cultivation. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Temperature-dependent conformational changes in a voltage-gated potassium channel

Temperature was used as a biophysical tool to investigate the energy changes associated with conformational change during the gating of a non-inactivating voltage-gated K⁺ channel present in the membrane of αT3-1 cells, a gonadotroph cell line. The time course of the current activation was described by a single exponential function at three temperatures: 15, 25 and 35 °C. The Q ₁₀ values were between 1.5 to 1.9 and in agreement with the activation energy determined from Arrhenius plots of the forward and backward rate constants associated with channel opening. The Gibb's free energy change associated with channel opening and closing at various membrane potentials estimated by two approaches yield similar values. The changes in Gibb's free energy (ΔG°) with depolarization potential is a quadratic and more prominent at 15 than at 25 or 35 °C. The results suggest that increase in temperature favours movement of voltage sensing segments, and reduces the restraint on them brought about by other parts of the channel molecule. Received: 2 September 1998 / Revised version: 27 October 1998 / Accepted: 21 January 1999     

Iron pyrites as sulphur fertilizer for legumes

Summary The value of iron pyrites as a source of S for legumes (chickpea, pea and lentil) was studied on the Typic Ustochrepts of Pura in 1982–1983. It provided sufficient sulphur to increase their S uptake and concentration and increased their yield of seed and straw. Dry matter production per unit of S absorbed increased in the order: lentil<chickpea <pea.     

Expression profiling of miRNAs indicates crosstalk between phytohormonal response and rhizobial infection in chickpea

Journal of Plant Biochemistry and Biotechnology - Legumes develop root nodules in which bacteria fix nitrogen for plants. The phytohormones auxin and cytokinin regulate nodule organogenesis by...     

High-density genetic linkage map based on arbitrary and microsatellite markers using inter-specific recombinant inbred lines in eggplant (Solanum melongena L.)

Journal of Plant Biochemistry and Biotechnology - Eggplant is an important Solanaceous vegetable crop with distinct morphological forms, colours, and shape of the fruits. Limited genomic coverage...     

Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of Inhibitors of Thymidine Monophosphate Kinase from Bacillus Anthracis

Nineteen lipophilic thymidine phosphate-mimicking compounds were designed and synthesized as potential inhibitors of thymidine monophosphate kinase of Bacillus anthracis, a Gram-positive bacterium that causes anthrax. These thymidine analogues were substituted at the 5′-postion with sulfonamide-, amide-, (thio)urea-, or triazole groups, which served as lipophilic surrogates for phosphate. Three of the tested compounds produced inhibition of B. anthracis Sterne growth and/or thymidine monophosphate activity. Additional studies will be necessary to elucidate the potential of this type of B. anthracis thymidine monophosphate inhibitors as novel antibiotics in the treatment of anthrax.     

Nematode inhibiting organic materials and a strain of Trichoderma harzianum effectively manages Meloidogyne incognita in Withania somnifera fields

The usefulness of Trichoderma harzianum was tested along with farmyard manure, cow urine, neem oil seed cake, and vermicompost separately and in combination to manage Meloidogyne incognita in Withania somnifera. A treatment combination of nematode inhibitory vermicompost and T. harzianum was found to be most effective against M. incognita.